The rituals of Mahayana Buddhism | 大乘佛教的儀式

Just as Christians pray upon waking, before meals, and before bed, Buddhism also has its own rituals. This article provides a brief overview of the general rituals practiced in Mahayana Buddhism, both in monasteries and by laypeople. These rituals may differ slightly to those from Theravada or Vajrayana Buddhism.

就像基督信仰的信眾們在起床後，用餐前及睡前會祈禱一樣，佛教也有相關的儀式。本文主要是簡單介紹大乘佛教的寺院及在家的一般儀式。這些儀式可能與小乘佛教或金剛乘佛教的儀式略有不同。

The rituals of Mahayana Buddhism primarily refer to various warship activities led by monks, usually held in monasteries, though occasionally outside the monasteries. The process mainly begins with kneeling and bowing to the Buddhas, and then offering praise, reciting scriptures, mantras and Buddha names that depend on the purpose of the rituals (memorializing the deaths, relief from disaster, making the best wish for the new year, refuge ceremony, etc.), and finally making vows or repentance, dedicating the Three Refuges and bowing in gratitude to the monks. During the process, there may be one or more kneeling and bowing to the Buddhas.

大乘佛教的法會主要是指由僧人帶領的各種拜佛儀式，一般都在寺院舉行，偶有特發情況，會在寺院外進行。過程主要是跪拜諸佛，接著是因應法會的目的（追悼、消災解難、新年祝福、皈依授受等）誦念讚佛謁、讀誦經文、真言與佛號，最後是發願或懺悔、回向及向僧人拜謝。過程中會有一次或多次向諸佛拜跪的環節。

Here is a brief introduction: Making Vow is a solemn pledge made to achieve a specific goal; Repentance is a kind of vow that made to correct one’s improper actions of body, speech, and mind; and Dedication is the act of sharing the merit accumulated from something that has already been accomplished (such as a Buddhist ritual or a virtuous deed) to serve as support and a blessing for achieving another goal.

這裏簡介一下：「發願」是指為達成特定目標而作出的莊嚴承諾；「懺悔」是一種為糾正自身身、語、意三業的不當行為而發的願；而「回向」則是將已完成之事（例如佛教法會或善行）所累積的功德分享出去，作為達成另一項目標的助力與祝福加持。

The morning and evening chanting practices for lay practitioners (rituals performed at home) are relatively simple; they can be recited in a low voice or silently. Ritual implements such as the “wooden fish” are not essential for home practice. The process includes kneeling and bowing to the Buddhas (those without a Buddha statue at home may visualize the image of the Buddhas while kneeling and bowing), reciting scriptures (which can be replaced by reciting the Buddha’s name or mantras), the “Three Refuges and Dedication Prayer” or a self-composed vow and dedication prayer, and bowing in gratitude to the Buddhas.

居士的早晚課頌（在家進行的儀式）比較簡單，可以低聲誦讀或默念。「木魚」之類的法器也不是在家必需的。過程包括跪拜諸佛（家中沒有佛像的可以觀想著諸佛的形像來跪拜），誦經（可以誦佛號或真言來代替）、《三皈依迴向文》或自訂的發願文與迴向文、向佛菩薩拜謝。

Mahayana Buddhism has many simple prayers and blessings. For example,“Five Contemplations on Food” is a necessary recitation that is led by monks in monasteries before the meal. This is an expression of gratitude for being able to enjoy food and of reflecting on the right to enjoy food. Lay practitioners can offer prayers and blesses silently during various daily activities. For example, before meals or getting ready to change for work, they may pray that everyone may enjoy food and clothing; when ill, they may pray for others’ good health or for their own speedy recovery.

大乘佛教有很多簡單的祈福儀式，例如「食存五觀」是寺院僧侶在餐前帶領信眾誦念的必修經文。這表達了對能夠享用食物的感恩之情，並反思自己享用食物的權利。在家信眾可以在日常生活中默默地進行祈福。例如，在餐前或準備上班換裝前，他們可以祈福人人都能享用食物和衣物；生病時，他們可以為他人的健康或自己早日康復祈福。

For those who are new to Buddhism, their limited understanding of Buddhist scriptures and doctrines may prevent them from knowing the meaning and concepts of practices such as making vows, and dedicating merit. However, simply knowing how to chant the Buddha's / the Buddhas' name is the simplest and best way for them to begin Buddhist practice.

對於剛接觸佛教的人來說，由於對佛經與教義的理解有限，可能無法理解「發願」和「回向」等修行方法的意義與概念。然而，單單懂得如何持誦佛名，便是他們最簡單且最佳的開始佛教修行的方式。